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Anni Harry proposes a question to keep in the forefront of our minds as the season of Advent continues.


We recently celebrated the Solemnity of Christ the King and turned the liturgical calendar to Advent. Advent is unique in that it is a period of preparation. Unlike the secular world around us, it’s a period in which we are encouraged to not jump into all the celebrations, and rather take a knee to sit, ponder, pray, and eagerly anticipate—not just the birth of our Savior on Christmas, but also His Second Coming.

The beauty of the Catholic Faith is that we get to experience Christ coming to us, individually, every time we celebrate a sacrament. For some, He comes to us daily with receiving Eucharist at the Mass; for others, He comes to us once a week at our weekend Mass. He even waits lovingly and longingly for us to cross the threshold to receive His graces in the healing sacrament of Reconciliation.

There are physical preparations for Advent which must be done every year—finding the Advent wreath (or, for some, making it), ensuring candles are at the ready, identifying which devotional to follow (if any), and amidst all that faith-based preparation, there are also gifts to plan for the “big day” (or, in Catholic circles, the weeks that follow Christmas Day).

There are also mental preparations that must be made. There has been one thought which has weighed on my mind and heart the past several weeks as I began to mentally prepare for Advent. As we look around the world and recognize a growing secularism, are we ready to defend our beliefs in the Savior?

 

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Called to Discipleship

Every baptized person is called to a life of discipleship. This includes a challenge to emulate Christ and carry Him to others. The beauty of Advent is that there is a very specific focus on serving others, and carrying the hope, faith, joy, and love of God to those we encounter. This is all part and parcel of being a disciple.

Discipleship also includes knowing our Savior, in a most intimate manner. As previously mentioned, the beauty of Catholicism is just how intimately an opportunity exists for us to receive our Savior, and to have Him come to us in the sacraments.

 

Who Do You Say Christ Is?

Naturally, this is the major question to consider as we journey through Advent: Who do you say Jesus is?

In Matthew 16:13-20, Christ poses this very upfront question to his apostles. They provided answers as to who others say Jesus was (Matthew 16:14), and Peter follows up with his declaration of faith in Matthew 16:16.

Thousands of years later, each of us is being asked that same question as our thoughts turn from Christ the Universal, Eternal King, who dwells in our hearts and guides our actions, and we enter this season of intentional preparation.

In the words found in Scripture, posed by the Messiah, “But who do you say that I am?”

  • Is Christ your Savior? If so, what does that mean to you?
  • Is Christ your friend? What would make His friendship stand out above the others?
  • Is Christ a teacher or prophet? How does that shape you, thousands of years after His death, resurrection and ascension?
  • Is Christ the King of your heart? What ways do you see Him visible in your thoughts, words, and actions?

As disciples, we should be ready to give witness of Christ in our lives to those we encounter. We give witness through our thoughts, words, and actions.

Being a disciple doesn’t stop there, though. Being ready to give testimony to Christ and His movements in our lives is also critical.

 

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The major question to consider as we journey through Advent: Who do you say Jesus is? #catholicmom

This Advent, lean into learning more about your own answer to the question posed above, entering deeper into prayer as you examine “Who is Christ to you?”

Don’t just ask the question, but also listen for the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and take note, asking our Lord to help give you the courage to always carry the answer to those you meet.

 

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Copyright 2022 AnnAliese Harry
Images: Canva